2 Old Town students die in accident Car, cement truck collide; school mourns lost teens

OLD TOWN – The mood at Old Town High School was somber Wednesday as students and staff began grieving the loss of two teenagers who were killed in a car accident shortly before 8 a.m. on their way to school.

The two students were killed when the car they were in pulled out of a driveway and into the path of a cement truck, according to Old Town Police Capt. Kyle Smart.

Lindsey Almenas, 16, of Indian Island was driving the 1993 Saturn with passenger Ryan Worcester, 17, of Old Town, when she pulled out of a driveway at 917 West Old Town Road and was struck by a cement truck owned by Owen J. Folsom Inc. of Old Town.

Worcester was pronounced dead at the scene. Almenas was transported by ambulance to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor but died shortly after arriving at the hospital. It is unknown if either was wearing a seat belt.

The truck was driven by Paul Cote, 67, of Old Town, who was not injured in the accident. The road was closed to traffic for several hours, and both vehicles were towed from the scene for further examination after an accident reconstruction by police officials.

Almenas’ car was destroyed. Later Wednesday afternoon, when the vehicle was being taken away on the flat bed of the tow truck, it was clear that the tarp-covered car had been crushed and that all four tires flared outward.

The accident, which occurred around 7:50 a.m. near the Old Town-Alton town line, still is under investigation. There is no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved, police said.

“Both were very well-liked and had a wide circle of friends,” Old Town High School Principal Joseph Gallant said Wednesday afternoon about the two students.

Worcester, a senior, played basketball, while Almenas, a junior, participated in spring track.

School officials were informed of the accident in the morning and were able to tell students what had happened during the homeroom period.

“We felt that was the best way to share this tragic news,” Gallant said.

Large pieces of paper with the names of Almenas and Worcester were placed throughout the school by guidance counselors for students to write messages that later will be passed along to the teens’ families.

The school’s crisis response team, which consists of guidance counselors from Old Town and other school districts, private practitioners, clergy, and other officials, was put in place to help students deal with the loss.

The last time that the crisis plan was put into action was in 2002, when two OTHS students were killed and two others critically injured after the 1991 Ford Escort they were riding in backed into the path of a tractor-trailer hauling wood chips on Route 16.

A large bouquet of white flowers was sent Wednesday to the school by John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, and a number of other school districts called OTHS officials with condolences and offers of assistance.

“A number of students went home, which certainly is very appropriate,” Gallant said, noting that everyone grieves in his own way.

“We try to keep the day as normal as possible because some students need that normalcy,” he said.

The school was open until 9 p.m. Wednesday for anyone who wanted a place to talk or just sit, and although school remained in session, all extra-curricular activities were canceled. Counselors will be on hand all week, “as long as it’s needed,” Gallant said.

“When you lose two very popular students, it’s never easy,” Gallant said.